Swatara Board adopts 2026 budget ordinance amid public questions about prior-year compliance

Swatara Township commissioners adopted the 2026 budget ordinance (Ordinance 2026‑1) after a short presentation by finance staff and public questioning about procedural compliance.

Treasurer Yarzinski and the finance director told the board the ordinance matched the draft previously advertised and posted for public inspection. The board adopted the ordinance by voice vote after a public comment period and brief discussion.

Resident Christine Zubac used the public-comment period to accuse the township of failing to adopt last year’s budget by the Dec. 31 deadline required under the Pennsylvania First Class Township Code and urged the board to follow the code’s rules for public notice and inspection when adopting an amended or late budget. “You have failed miserably in your basic responsibility and more importantly, you have continued to break the law,” Zubac said, urging the board to use the statutory process, including public notice and a 10‑day inspection period for amended budgets.

Finance staff responded that the posted budget is the same document the board considered in December and that no substantive changes were made since the draft was published. Staff also said they will provide follow‑up details requested by the public, including clarifying any transfers that appear on the budget schedules.

The board accepted the treasurer’s report for the month ending Dec. 31, 2025, and adopted Ordinance 2026‑1. Commissioners asked staff to provide supplemental details requested by residents, such as the proposed $5.0 million transfer from the building bond to the general fund that was raised during public comment.

What’s next: staff committed to providing residents and the board with additional documentation responding to the public’s questions about the prior-year adoption timeline, audit timing and specific fund transfers.